Hydrolagus matallanasi
Encyclopedia
Hydrolagus matallanasi is a species of very rare deep-water chimaera
that lives in the ocean
at depths of up to 600 m. The species is 150 million years old. It was discovered in 2001 by a team of Brazil
ian scientists.
These 40-cm long fishes have an unusual appearance; they have wing-like pectoral fins, a pointed dorsal fin
and a long whip-like tail. The fish can see in practically total darkness and sense electromagnetic radiation
(outside of the visible spectrum
) emitted by other marine creatures thanks to exposed nerve
s on the sides of its body.
The fish is named after Spanish scientist Jesus Matallanas.
Chimaera
Chimaeras are cartilaginous fish in the order Chimaeriformes, known informally as ghost sharks, ratfish , spookfish , or rabbitfishes...
that lives in the ocean
Ocean
An ocean is a major body of saline water, and a principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.More than half of this area is over 3,000...
at depths of up to 600 m. The species is 150 million years old. It was discovered in 2001 by a team of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian scientists.
These 40-cm long fishes have an unusual appearance; they have wing-like pectoral fins, a pointed dorsal fin
Dorsal fin
A dorsal fin is a fin located on the backs of various unrelated marine and freshwater vertebrates, including most fishes, marine mammals , and the ichthyosaurs...
and a long whip-like tail. The fish can see in practically total darkness and sense electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy that exhibits wave-like behavior as it travels through space...
(outside of the visible spectrum
Visible spectrum
The visible spectrum is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. Electromagnetic radiation in this range of wavelengths is called visible light or simply light. A typical human eye will respond to wavelengths from about 390 to 750 nm. In terms of...
) emitted by other marine creatures thanks to exposed nerve
Nerve
A peripheral nerve, or simply nerve, is an enclosed, cable-like bundle of peripheral axons . A nerve provides a common pathway for the electrochemical nerve impulses that are transmitted along each of the axons. Nerves are found only in the peripheral nervous system...
s on the sides of its body.
The fish is named after Spanish scientist Jesus Matallanas.